An Overview on Autoimmunity–
Differentiating Self from Non-Self;
Tolerance and Cause

by Dr. Tim Joslyn, ND

“Normally, the immune system works throughout your body to fight off and defend you from viruses, bacteria, and infection. In people with Autoimmune diseases, the immune cells attack the body’s own healthy tissues, as if they are an invader.” – Dr. Paul Anderson, NMD

Autoimmunity causes inflammation, water-retention associated-pain, and in chronic cases, permanent tissue damage.  Autoimmunity is quite literally, the immune system, “going off-track.”  As Autoimmunity develops; it descends into a targeted attack, upon a very specific cell, or group of cells.

There is an associated “energetic-component” to Autoimmunity. Our bodies newfound inability, to recognize self from non-self, is more than a physical problem.  In my experience treating Autoimmunity, I’ve learned that it also has an emotional and spiritual component, that may need to be addressed.

Autoimmunity is a condition that affects females at a much higher rate than males. It has been suggested in order to carry a healthy baby to-term, the mother’s immune system must have tolerance, in order to allow the baby to develop, and not to be considered, “other”.

Most Autoimmune conditions begin with a compromised gut lining, sometimes called Leaky Gut.  It is here, in the single-cell lined areas of the small intestine, known as the lumen, that undigested food and other, foreign outside compounds, may enter the blood stream prematurely, inducing Alarm Bells to ring, as our immune system responds, with potentially system-wide inflammation.

You see, the immune system is predisposed to interact and destroy invaders.  This is achieved by the creation of Antibodies, a uniquely formed “memory-identification system” that identifies a specific-invader, for expedited attacks now, and in the future. It is this spot in which our body’s mechanisms, may begin to mis-identify what is non-self, and which is self. 

Figure 1:  Non-self is properly identified; then attacked by a human Macrophage …

Autoimmune Conditions include:

 There are over 80 + different conditions that are Autoimmune. 
Here are 4 of the most prevalent kinds:

Pernicious anemia: the immune system attacks the intrinsic factor, which allows your body to absorb Vitamin B12.

Vitiligo: the immune system attacks the melanocytes in the skin which produce skin color. Patches of skin lose pigment or color.

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): this Autoimmune condition is chronic (long-lasting) and can affect many parts of the body, including:  Skin, Joints, Heart, Lungs, Kidneys, and the Brain.
People with Lupus usually have times of illness (flares) and times of wellness.

Rheumatic Disease: the immune system attacks the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones and muscles.

Effects of Autoimmunity 

Amplification of Autoimmune disease by Infections. It is important to monitor infections with AI (Autoimmune patients) as many cases are triggered by them.

Autoimmunity is a pre-disposition to infections.  With Autoimmunity present, infectious viruses, bacteria and fungus are met with significantly less resistance, from the body’s immune system.

Mitochondria Damage:  The mitochondria are the energy-producing units of our cell.  When they been damaged (including that caused by Autoimmunity) they are slower to repair, the longer the Autoimmunity has been present.

Figure 2:  Non-self is properly identified; then attacked by a human Macrophage …

                Toxin(s)                                            Infection(s)

                           AUTOIMMUNITY

       Genetics                 Allergy              Immune Stress(es)

Autoimmune Testing Methods

The nucleus is essentially the “command center” or “brain” of each cell in the body. Many different types of proteins are found in the nucleus that perform many different functions. They can all be targets for an immune attack.

The ANA IFA (Anti-Nuclear Antibody Immunofluorescence Test) is a blood test that looks for antibodies that attack proteins found in the nucleus of cells. In the lab the technician takes a blood sample, centrifuge it and puts the plasma of the patient under a black light and the autoantibodies fluoresce.  They then dilute the plasma 40 times and if it fluoresces, it is referred to as 1:40  (Dilutions of 80 and 120 and are referred to as 1:80, 1:120) this signifies activity of autoantibodies but doesn’t confirm autoimmune conditions. Dilutions of 1:800,1:2250 and above indicate a high probability of autoimmunity.

“Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANA’s) are seen in conditions such as SLE (Lupus), Sjogren’s syndrome (when one’s antibodies attack the parotid glands and tear ducts), MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma), and similar diseases. However, finding an ANA by itself does not signify disease, because many healthy people have positive antibodies and never develop SLE or other connective tissue diseases.

The American College of Rheumatology has recommended that the IFA test should be the initial test used to detect ANA.

Thyroid antibodies tests can also indicate that there is an autoimmune condition. Thyroid antibodies are referred to as gateway antibodies.

Genetic and Epigenetic conditions (fine mapping of the genome for autoimmune disease variants in a person’s unique DNA): We evaluate this with information from the patient’s Ancestry.com or 23&Me DNA data. We apply that information to a medical Opus23 test and we can learn from SNP’s of the individual’s DNA if they are predisposed to autoimmunity.

The lining of the intestines with the enterocytes, the occupants of the lumen and the host of immune cells in defense. The integrity of this single cell layer is essential in prevention of Autoimmunity.

Figure 3:  Non-self is properly identified; then attacked by a human Macrophage …

Assessing the Root Cause

A. Detailed History of Chronic infection

This can be difficult as the infection may have happened years ago which altered the Nervous system, pre-disposing it to Autoimmunity.

Human Herpes virus (HHV)has been associated with Autoimmunity and needs to be tested. HHV enters the cell and as your immune system attempts to enter the cell to attack the virus, it attacks the cells instead. Most Autoimmunity conditions are triggered by Infections.

B. Hormone imbalance

Thyroid including Hashimoto’s, high rT3 and poor t4->t3 conversion

Poor glycemic control stressing the adrenal system

Adrenal, especially elevated cortisol states and lower circadian control

High estrogen/low progesterone, high SHBG, High/low TSH, DHEA

In females High or low DHEA

In Males High DHT/poor DHEA-Testosterone-SHBG

C. Nutritional

Poor EFA balance and intake

High glycemic diet

Inadequate intake or absorption

D. Allergy 

Undiagnosed allergy, History of high IgE and or defects in IgG and IgA

It’s important to asses IgG/A/E SNP status (genetic)

E. Toxicity

Common Autoimmune patient may have less tolerance for toxins

Chemical and metal can disrupt immune balance

Heavy metals compromise the liver’s ability to breakdown toxins

People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities are known to be poor toxic eliminators

People with Autoimmune conditions commonly have MCS

Th1/Th2 balance (when the immune system becomes overactive, making antibodies in excess)

Treatments for Autoimmunity

 First, address Mitochondrial energy and healthy function, by Following these steps [A, B, C, D]

A.    Clean up with supplemental Curcumin.  Liposomal forms provide higher bioavailability. 

B.    Restore: with supplemental Lipoic Acid, B-Vitamins, Iron, Ferritin (Ferritin needs to be over 30-40 ng/ml).

C.   Repair:  with supplemental Phospholipids, Lipoic Acid, Carnitine, Taurine.

D.   Attend to Cell Redox: with supplemental Vitamin E  (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols,  Vitamin C, and Glutathione (NAC can help your body produce its own glutathione.)

Vitamin E, C and Glutathione work synergistically and breakdown Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) into non-damaging compounds.  ROS occur as a by-product of metabolism, toxic exposure and infections.  People with Autoimmune conditions are generally Redox compromised, and need supplemental nutrient support.

For acute Autoimmune situations

·      Mitochondria and cell membrane support (phospholipids)

·      Redox balance: Vitamin C, with Lipoic Acid, and Tocotrienols (vitamin E)

·      Co-Morbidities:  look at other conditions the patient has.

Herbal remedies

·      Boswellia shifts cytokines away from inflammation

·      Licorice has many valuable effects particularly as an anti-viral agent but for the AI patient it is anti-inflammatory for our Liver.

·      Milk-thistle has affinity to the Liver and keeps redox levels up.

·      Artusinate and Artiminsin. These Wormwood based supplements “create immunological balance”. Are anti-inflammatory and have immune regulating properties and are anti Autoimmune.

·      Curcumin is a cytokine manipulator and can suppress ConA which is a potent trigger of Autoimmunity.

Medications

Low dose Naltrexone (LDN):  For Immune system modulation, very low doses are better. (AKA Adjunct therapy—very subtle.)
This medication, an opioid receptor blocker, has also been recognized as a potent medication, to address an immune system that has become autoimmune in its nature. This medication has helped many people plagued with autoimmune conditions.

Therapy and Outcome

All Labs that are positives need to be followed up, a positive or undetermined. Testing needs to include all sources of inflammation.  Treat what you find.

Common sources of Autoimmunity
Human Herpes Virus (HHV)             Parasite(s)

Cytomegalo Virus                               Lyme Borrelia and other co-infections

Mycoplasmas                             Chlamydia

Fungi                                                 HIV

Family patterns of autoimmunity       Allergies = High IgE

Neurosteroids and Autoimmunity

The Brain produces higher-order corticosteroids which modulate the GABA-A neurotransmitters, which are associated with sleep and cognitive function.

With Multiple Sclerosis (and some sleep disorders) the Neurosteroid is destroyed by the body itself, and this leads to on-going anxiety, sleep issues and brain inflammation. The Blood Brain Barrier is compromised and things that would not be allowed in the brain flow in.

Progesterone (and Pregnenolone) are associated with repair, and need to be monitored with the Autoimmune person.

Estrogen is Pro-Inflammatory and can become even proconvulsant. Estrogen can also stimulate the NMDA receptor, which can be excitatory and in chronic situations create Brain trauma.

With Brain inflammation and Autoimmunity-produced-Inflammation, it is important to address …?

Autoimmunity has become common in Individuals of our culture and time.
With proper identification and consistent treatment many people with autoimmune conditions can live a quality life.

Contact Me for questions if you, a friend or family member have already been diagnosed
with an Autoimmune condition, or if you think you or they may have an autoimmune condition.

Treatments offered by Dr. Tim Joslyn include:

B12 Injections available with Glutatione, Magnesium, Amino Acids, B-Vitamins and more

Cranial-Sacral Therapy, 60 and 90 minute sessions

IV Treatments with High-Dose Vitamin C, Glutathione and more

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BIHRT)

Genetic Counseling

Supplement Review and Recommendations

New Patient Naturopathic Intakes

Call us at (415) 917-0276
or Send an Email to drtim@joslynnaturopathic.com
to schdule your Appointment, today!